Douglas Black: Canada needs a reformed Senate

Canada needs a reformed Senate

I know that many Canadians are asking themselves whether we might be better off without the Senate. Over the last several months, there has been much coverage of the ethical shortcomings of a small number of senators. This has caused some — in the public, the media and even elected officials — to call for abolition of the Red Chamber. I understand the frustration many Canadians feel. But abolishing the Senate would be a terrible loss for Canada.

Brad Wall is in jovial mood. “Any update on the Senate?” I asked him, as he took a break from meeting Canada’s other premiers.

“Yes, we abolished it this morning – there will be a communiqué issued soon,” he dead-panned.

And why not be in good humour? Saskatchewan has the strongest economy in Canada, with record low unemployment. He is ranked the country’s best premier, with a 64% approval rating and he even topped a list of potential successors to Stephen Harper as federal Conservative leader in one recent poll.

During the 2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, I campaigned on the need for Senate reform. It has been six months since I took my seat in the Senate, and I am convinced, now more than ever, that its current inadequacies must be urgently addressed. The government’s proposal for term limits and elections is a step in the right direction. I also have faith that the Senate itself will continue to address the ethical and expense issues of a small number of senators who have stained the reputation of the entire chamber, through its established protocols. The recent controversies are an unwelcome distraction from the Senate’s important work, and Canadians can rest assured that their senators are determined to get to the bottom of this issue and refocus our attention on serving this country.

Because the Senate does serve Canada well. Our first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, described the Senate as a place for “sober second thought” and that description remains true today. I agree that the Senate could perform this duty better if its members had a democratic mandate, but even in its current form, the Senate still manages to review bills for technical problems and unintended consequences. Canadians deserve laws that are fair and free of errors, and the Senate plays an important role in this regard. This should not be overlooked.

The Senate is also Canada`s first and best think tank. The quantity and quality of its investigative work is impressive. Committee studies highlight the diverse needs of our country’s citizens and regions, and their recommendations are often translated into government legislation and policy. This is valuable work that must be continued.

Finally, we must remember the original purpose of the Senate, which is also the most convincing argument for its reform. Ontario and Quebec alone hold the balance of power in the House of Commons. Premiers can be vocal advocates for provincial interests, but at the end of the day they do not vote on federal laws. The destiny of the Senate is to foster national unity by acting as a check on power. A reformed Senate must ensure permanent and effective provincial and regional representation. Canadians deserve more democracy, not less.

Canadians have successfully pushed for changes to Parliament in the past. Surely we can do it again to create a modern Senate for a modern Canada. A country that has spilled the blood of its sons and daughters in the defence of democracy abroad shouldn’t be afraid to break a sweat to improve it at home.

Let’s agree that we need a national conversation about the future role of the Senate. It must take place in our living rooms, our provinces, and in the Senate itself. However and wherever it happens, the important thing is to start building momentum towards meaningful reform. As I spend the summer back home in Alberta speaking with citizens, it’s clear that the status quo just won’t do.

A recent editorial declared, “It’s not time to end the Senate. It’s time for a new beginning.” I believe that reflects the view of many Canadians. I look forward to continuing to work with Albertans and my reform-minded Senate colleagues to convince Canadians that reform, not abolition, is the right choice for Canada.